YOUR dentist may not be your favourite person but spare a thought for some of the horrors that he or she faces.

Toothbrush-dodging patients can leave their molars in a terrible state and dentists are often left to clean up the mess, literally.

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Dentists can face some horrific sights in their patients' mouth

Now seven dentists have shared the worst things they have ever seen in a patient’s mouth with Women’s Health – and it’s not pretty.

If this doesn’t have you reaching for the dental floss, nothing will.

Mouth of Horrors

"A little boy jumped into the dental chair and was actually excited to have his first trip to the dentist.

His parents explained to me that he seemed to be rubbing one side of his mouth a lot with his hands. When I looked inside, I noticed his gums were very swollen—and found maggots in the area. After clearing them out, I taught him and his family about proper dental care." — Gary Glassman.

Gum Tree

"At the beginning of a root canal treatment, I started to clean out the root. Amongst the plaque and tarter, I found some sort of seed lodged in the gums and there looked to be a tiny plant growing out of it.

“After asking the patient a few questions, I realized it was a tomato seed sprouting a plant." — Gary Glassman again

Speedy Exit

“An elderly woman came in to have her denture repaired. Dentures are supposed to be taken out and cleaned daily, and it was clear that she hadn't taken hers out in months. “The smell of infected gums and rotten food was so rank that my dental assistant had to excuse herself to throw up." —Anonymous

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One assistant (not pictured) had to run to the toilet to be sick

Clean Break

"When I was doing a routine extraction, my patient's jaw freakishly broke in half. She had to have her mouth wired shut for two months." —Anonymous

Pimple Popping

"One patient of mine had an abscess so big that it spanned the entire half of his jaw. Another patient had one that needed to be drained, and his mouth was flooded with pus when I poked it. It was one of the grossest experiences ever." — Dr. Stephanie, (last name withheld)